Scientists believe nanotubes may absorb carbon dioxide

Prof Eleanor Campbell, project leader and head of chemistry at Edinburgh University, told The Engineer: ‘The main emphasis of the project is on developing a highly porous nanotube-based material, which will have a high capacity for absorbing carbon dioxide.’

Campbell explained that when there are relatively low concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere, a material must be used that selectively absorbs CO₂ over other gases present in air.

‘The basic framework revolves around the carbon nanotubes but we’re chemically functionalising them to interact in a specific way with the CO₂,’ she said.

Each individual tube will be around one micrometre long and one nanometre in diameter. The researchers claim these carbon nanotubes could be used in systems of varying sizes.

‘You could have relatively small units that would be the equivalent of 10 trees in terms of CO₂ consumption. But, what might actually go down better is to implement this idea on a larger scale so that it is incorporated into general infrastructure, such as along motorways,’ said Campbell.